Earthly reward for church vandals

Three teenagers who burgled and vandalised a church in the US state of Montana will be given "love baskets" of electronic games by the congregation.

The three youths broke into Missoula's South Hills Evangelical Church two weeks ago, stealing money and smashing windows and computers, police said.

Church pastor Jason Reimer said the congregation wanted "to reach out and extend love and mercy to them".

"We've collected several hundred dollars' worth of gift cards, Xboxes and controllers, a DVD, a VCR," said Mr Reimer.

If the teenagers escape a jail sentence, the church hopes the gifts will help keep them off the streets and out of trouble.